Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HONDA SH300I
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The SH300I's first-time pass rate has fallen 16.7 points since 2011, 88.9% to 72.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SH300I passes first time 88.8% of the time; by 40k that's 83.9%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a SH300I
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
42 | 38.5 | 1.3× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
17 | 15.6 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
11 | 10.1 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
10 | 9.2 | 0.5× |
| tyres |
|
8 | 7.3 | 1.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
8 | 7.3 | 0.5× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 6.4 | 1.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 2.8 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 1.8 | 0.6× |
| steering |
|
1 | 0.9 | 0.4× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the SH300I beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, YAMAHA RD350, YAMAHA YP250).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the SH300I.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2011 (92.3%). Lowest: 2009 (72.9%). Every SH300I year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA SH300I FAQ
Is the HONDA SH300I reliable?
The HONDA SH300I is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 598 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3218 of 5428 models.
What does a SH300I fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 39% of all defects recorded against failed SH300I tests.
What is the best year of SH300I to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (92.3%) and 2009 worst (72.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SH300I last?
The median SH300I shows 14,764 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Honda SH300I reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.